While these comments should not have come as a surprise, as a slow down after robust growth has been much expected, the news hit China-related plays including Caterpillar, Joy Global,Peabody, and Cummins—as discussed in Tuesday’s Mad Money market analysis piece.

No mercy was preserved for these names, despite what really was an incremental data point that supports a ‘soft landing’ thesis for the region vs a ‘hard brake’ fall-off. Not to mention that we have received positive “bottoms up” commentary from the likes of Caterpillar and Cliffs Natural Resources, whose CEO Joe Carraba provided details of solid demand trends amidst the company’s 123 percent dividend boost.

Sure enough, on Wednesday, Australia raised estimates for iron ore exports, most of which goes to China, by nearly 3 percent—quelling the fears that BHP spooked just 24 hours prior. (It is telling that copper behemoth Freeport McMoran has held up despite lingering worries).